Plurality of counterbalancing sashes for windows



ISLURALITY of c;ovm.'IJR'BALANcING` sAsHEs FOR WINDOWS Filed March 19. 1921 y @Sluts-Shut 1 www Illlllllllll nmllmmrummlm l f IIHHIIWHIHHH lmummllllluWuummgunmmm l July 24, 1,923.

" G. W. LANCASTER PLURALITY OF COUNTEBALANCING SASHES FOR WNDOWS 2 Shadi-Shoot 2 Filed March 19 1921 fiar/4.274 Int, nvr 442.7/

Potent July 24, 1923. l

l UlTED STATES GEORGE W. LANCASTER, F RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, IGNOB '1'.0 PERFECT "1! klit' .30W

COMPANY, 0F RICHHOND, VIRGINIA, A CORPORATION 0E mais L PLUBALI'IY 0F GOUNTERBALACING E EGR WDWQ.

panama ma umn 1a, v1am. amai an. Matta To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it hewn that Gnome W. LANCASTER, a citizen of vthe United States of America,

- residing at Richmond, county of Henrico,

- own height, without in any way State of Virginia,A has invented a new and. useful Plurality of Counterbalancing Sashes' for Windows, of which the following is 'a specification.,

The purpose of the present invention involves a eneral principle of counterbalancing sas es, as in the patent' issued to Geor e W. Lancaster December 7,1920, Patent o. 1,361,163, and the applications filed respectively February-20 1920, Serial No. 360,151; January 5, 1921, erial No. 435,233; and Janua 5, 1921, Serial No. 435,234, and in add1tion thereto the invention involves the provision of means, whereby the upper outermost sash and the lower innermost sash may balance each other the full vheight of the casement,or the. upper outermost sash may be moved and counterbalanced separately for a distance e ual to its isturbing the lower innermost sash, or the intermediate sashes.

Another purpose is the provision of means Afor locking the lower innermost sash of the easement, to prevent opening any of the sashes from the exterior.

A'still further purpose involves the provision of a sash moving rod or member connected to the upper outermost sash, and adapted to he coupled either to the lower innermost sash or to a counterbalancing device movable in guides of the easement, whereby the upper outermost sash and the lower innermost sash may be moved while in balancing relation to leach other the full height of the easement, or the u per outermost sash may be counterbalance lndependently of the lower innermost sash during its movement for a distance equal to its own height.

A further purpose is the provision of a lock, the construction and arrangement of which are such that the lower innermost sash may be locked, and since there is a provision of means for coupling the upper outermost sash moving bar to the lower innermost sash, the entire plurality of sashes may be locked against movement from the eX- terior.

A still further purpose involves a counterbalancing device, with which the upper outermost sash moving bar may be connected, whereby the upper outermost sash, while inde endently'counterbalanced ma be moved a istance equal to its own heig t.'

lt is to be understood that the particulars herein 'ven are in no way limitative and that -While still keeping within the scope of the mvention, any desired modifications of detail and desired proportions may be made in the apparatus according to circumstances.

The invention comprises further features and combination of parts, as will be hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed.

ln the drawings Flgure 1 1s a vlew` in perspective of a window showing a stationary casement, and discloslng the plurality of counterbalancing sashes constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view on line 2-2 of Figure 1. v

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view on line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure d is a perspective view showing the upper outermost sash, and the lower innermost sash, and the sash moving bar and the connections between the bar and the upper outermost sash, and the counterbalancing device, so as to disclose the general prlnciple of the invention.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view through the adjacent ends of the upper and lower sections of one of the sides of the easement, showing how the upper and lower sections of the guides are united.;

`Figure 6 discloses views of the adjacent ends of the upper and lower guides of the easement, showing how the adjacent ends unite when in place.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a casement, which may be stationary, or hingedly mounted, and if the latter, an extra easement (not shown) for the window opening of the building is necessary, in which the first easement may be plvotally, arranged.

ln any instance, however, each iamb is provided with vertical channel guides 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 6e which extend the full height of the easement on each side thereof. These channel guides may be constructed in any suitable manner, either hand made or rolled, preferably the latter.

no v

Each j amb consists of upper and lower sections 7 and 8, the upper section being fixed or made fast with the casement, either by brazing or spot welding, preferably the latter. The lower section 8 is removably mounted on the side of the casement, by means of screws.9. The casement is provided with heavy backing strips 10 transversely arran ed of the casement, for the reception of t e screws 9, as the wall of the casement is made of such relatively thm metal, that the threads would not be suiiiclent to hold the screws. On an inspection of the drawings, it will be obvious that in the lower ends of the anges forming the walls of the upper channel guides are inserted tongues l1, which enter between the walls of the flanges of the lower guides, thereby holding the flanges in alignment. It will be noted that the flanges forming the guldes lare bent upon themselves as shown, so that the tongues ma enter between the walls. In Fig. 3 the wal s, however, are shown close together, but in actual Ipractice the upper ends of the walls of the anges of the lower guides may be s read apart slightly,- as shown at 5a (in ig. 6). Furthermore the tongues are made ofrelatively thin sheet metal, so as not to take up very much space between the walls of the flanges of the lower guides, so that where the tongues enterfbetween `the-walls, the metal of the ianges of the guides will not bul e. Furthermore the walls may be'- pressed c osely together, so as to insure unobstructed surfaces, for guiding the sashes. c

Mounted in the guides are upper outermost and lower innermost sashes 12 and 13, and also upper outermost and lower innermost intermediate sashes 14 and 15. These sashes are constructed of sheet metal, channeled, made by hand work, or by a rolling process, preferably the latter, and the lass panes 16 are mounted in the channels o the sashes, there being asbestos packing 17, not only to insure a tight lit, but also precluding the weather, The sashes have interlockingr connections 16, as set forth in the aforesaid patent and applications, and it will be noted that when the ower innermost sash is locked, and the sash moving bar engaged or coupled with the lower innermost sash, all the sashes are locked against movement from the exterior. It w1ll also be noted that when the sash moving bar is disconnected from the lower innermost sash, and coupled with the counterbalancing device, the upper outermost sash may be moved a distance e 'ual to its own length, without disturbing the ocked ositions of the other sashes. It will be rther noted that when the lower sash. is locked, regardless of whether the upper outermost sash is locked or not, it ls impossible to move either one of the intermediate sashes. The interlocking connections may, or may not have asbestos filling, in order to insure a tight fit between the parts and preclude the weather.

Mounted in the upper part of the casement in any suitable manner are pulleys 18, over each of which a suitable sash cord cable, chain .or the like 19 passes. One en of the sash cord, cable, chain or the like 19 is connected in any suitable manner as at 20 to the upper outermost sash and its other end is coupled in any suitable manner to the upper outermost. sash moving bar 21. While only one side of the window is disclosed, it 1s to be noted that both sides of the window are constructed alike, therefore it is obvious that the up r outermost sash will move uniformly, an not bind in its guides.

Mounted in any` suitable manner in the upper part of the casement is a pulley 22, over w ich the flexible member 23, whether it be a cord, cable, chain or rope or the likepasses. It is obvious that this should be duplicated on the other side of the window, and furthermore the sash cord has its opposite ends connected in any suitable manner as at 24 and 25 to the upper edges of the in termediate sashes 14 and 15, so that the movement of one causes the movement of the other. p i

The lower innermost sash has its lower rail constructed with a channel 26, in order to straddle a flange 27 formed inthe sill of the casement. This channel 26 `may be formed in any suitable manner, and one wall of the channel has an opening 28, while the upstanding flange of the sill of the casement has an opening 29. The sill of the casement has shoulders 30 and 31, and the wall of the shoulder 30 and the interior wall of the sill are provided withl guide openings 32, in which a spring tensioned lock pin 33 is mounted. This lock pin has a head 34 and an inner reduced extension 35, which penetrates throu h the openings 28 and 29, that is when the ower innermost sash is closed, thereby locking the same. Where the reduced extension 35 is formed, the lock -pin has ay shoulder 36, which engages the inner surface of the wall of the shoulder 30, thereb limiting the pin in its locking position. pansion coiled spring 37 is mounted upon the ocking pin between the inner wall of the sill and a collar 38 (whichextends transversely of the locking pin) and is in surrounding relation to the p1n. B means of this spring the locking pin is hel the registering openings of the lower rail of the lower innermost sash and the upstanding flange of the sill of the casement. ,The

'lock pin 33 has a transverse abutment pin 39, which limits the pin in its movement,

when the reduced extension 35 is being withdrawn from the registering openings.

The lower rail of the lower innermost DEX-- consequently will l in engagement with l gui The side rails of the lower Jnnermost sashv are provided with lateral Aoverhanging guide flanges 42, which overlie and engage the thereby insuring guiding the sash in its movement, there being only one flange shown.

Mounted in the guide 2 is a counterbalancing bar 43, it being obvious that the corresponding guide on the op site side of the Casement. is to be provid with a similar member. Connected to the lower endof the counterbalancing bar 43 and to a corresponding bar-43 (not shown) on the opposite side of the easement is'a bar 44. This bar 44 obviousl moves with the bars 43, all of which constltute a balancing element as its ears or lugs 45 are secured by screws 46 to the bars 43. The bars 43 are of lengths substantially equal to three of the sashes, though it is obvious that they may be any other suitable 1ength,'either the length of two of the lowermost sashes, or slightly longer than three of the lowermost sashes, so as to determine the movement of the upper outermost sash. The bar 44 is angular in form, and its upper flange at its central portion is provided with a notch 47, which registers with the notch 41. When the bar 44 is in its lowermost position, it engages the shoulder 31, so as to insure a substantial fit. Suitable packing (not shown) may be used at a point between the shoulder 31 and the bar 44. Also it will be noted that the bar 44 is so'arranged that its upper ange registers with the flange 40 of the lower rail of the lower innermost sash, whereby the notches 41 and 47 correspondingly register. The sash moving bar 21 has an upstandng hand piece 48. which has its upper portion curved inwardlv, to substantially conform to the linger of a hand. whereby the sashmoving bar or element 21 may be manipu lated manually. bviously the bar 21 may be movedunder the Hange 40. or under the upper Hange of the bar 44. When engaged under the flange 40 of the lower rail of the innermost sash, the upstanding hand piece 48 engages the notch 41. When the sash moving bar 21 is under the upper flange of the bar 44, the upstandng hand piece 48 en' gages the notch 47.

When the sash moving bar 21 is engaged under the flange 40, it is obvious that the lower innermost sash may be moved the full height of the easement, and counterbalance the upper outermost sash correspondingly.

When the sash moving bar'21 is engaged.

anges between the guides 3 and 4,-

equal to its own hei ht, or equal to onethird of the height o the bars 43, without disturbin any one of the other sashes. 0hviously w en the bar 21 is engaged with the ange 40, and is moving the upper outermost and lower innermost sashes, the lower innermost sash must be unlocked. This may be accomplished by operating the loch pm inwardly of the room, so as to disengage the reduced extension of the lock pin from the registering openings 28 and 29. Also when the upper outermost and llower innerlmost sashes are unlocked, the innermost sash may be moved,but as long as the upper outermost and lower innermost sashes remain locked, the intermediate sashes are correspondingly locked. 4In order to retain the bars 43 in their guides 2 of the easement, the easement is provided with la trim 49, which is preferably constructed of sheet metal, and is engaged and fastened to the easement in any suitable manner (not shown), and has a ange 50, which overlies the flanges'torming the guide 2. It will be noted that the flange 50 retains the-bar 43 in its guide.

flhenpper outermost sash has on its top rail an overhanging llange 51 to underlie and engage the flange 52 on the lintel of the easement, and due to asbestos. which may be arranged in the channel ol the flange 51, the weather may be precluded.

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed as being useful is:

l. ln a window, a :easement having guides, upper outermost and lower innermost sashes mounted in certain vof the guides. counterbalancing means in certain others of the guides, and means operatively connected to the upper outermost sash and adapted tooperatively couple with the lower innermosty sash or with the counterbalancing means, whereby the two sashes may balance each other throughout the full height of the cascment, or the upper outermost sash may be counterbalanced independently of the lower innermost sash.

2. ln a window, the combination with a easement having guides, of upper outermostand lower innermost'sashes mounted in certain of the guides, a counterbalancing device in certain others of thel guides, and means operatively connected to the upper outermost sash and adapted to couple operatively with the lower innermost sashor the counterbalancing device, whereby the two sashes, while in balancing relation to each other, maybe i moved the full height of the easement, or the upper outermost sash may be moved While counterbalanced independently of the Y lower innermost sash, the arrangement and construction of the counterbalancing device being such as tohmit theupper outermost 'tively with the lower innermost sash or the counterbalancing device, whereby the two sashes, while in balancing relation to each other, may be moved the full heigh-t of the easement, or the upper outermost sash may be moved while counterbalanoed independently of the lower innermost sash, a pair of upper and lower intermediate sashes, operative' connections therebetween, interlocking connections between all of the meeting rails of the sashes, and a locking device for locking the lower innermost sash, and thereby through'v said interlockiri connections lock ing said pair of interm iate sashes.

4. In'a window, the combination with a` easement having guides, of upper outermost and lower innermost sashes mounted in certain of the guides, a counterbalacing device in certain others of the. guides, and means operatively connected to the upper outermost sash and adapted to cou 1e operatively with the lower innermost sas or the counterbalancin device, whereby the two sashes, while in ba ancing relation to each other, may be moved the full length of the easement, or the upperoutermost sash may be moved while counterbalanced independently of the lower innermost sash, a pair of upper and lower intermediate sashes, operative connections therebetween, interlocking connections between all of. the meeting rails of the sashes, said sash moving means being clear of the lower innermost sash when engaged with the counterbalancing device, whereby the upper outermost sash may travel a distance equal to the movementof the counterbalancing device, thus unlocking the intermediate sashes to permit them to travel a corresponding distance.

5. In a window, the combination with a easement having guides, of upper outermost and lower innermost sashes mounted in certain of the guides, a counterbalancing device in certain others of the guides, and means operatively connected to the' upper outermost sash and adapted to couple operatively with the lower innermost sash or the counl terbalancing device, whereby the two sashes,

while in balancing relation to each other, may be moved the full height of the casement, or the upper outermost sash may be moved while counterbalanced independently of the 'lower innermost sash, `the arrangement and construction of the counterbalancing device being such as to limit the ,upper outermost sash in its last mentioned movebetween, interloc 'n vthe intermediate sashes to ment a distance substantially equal to its own height, a pair of upper and lower intermediate sashes, o erative connections thereconnections between all of the meeting rails of the sashes, and a locking device adapted for locking the lower innermost sash and thus locking the intermediate sashes through the medium of their interlocking. connections.

6. In a window, 'the combination with a easement having guides, of upper ,outermost and lower innermost sashes mounted in certain of the guides, a counterbalancin device in certain others Yof the guides, an means operatively connected to the upper outermost sash and adapted to couple operatively with the lower innermost sash or ,the counterbalancing device, whereby the two sashes, 'while in balancing relation to each other, may be moved'the full height of the casement, or the upper outermost sash may be moved while' counterbalanced independently of the lower innermost sash, the arrangement Iand construction of the counterbalancing devi bein such as to limit the upper outermost sas in the last mentioned movement to a travel substantially equal to its own height, said sash moving means being clear of the lower innermost sash when engaged with the counterbalancing device, whereby the upper outermost sash may travel a distance equal to the movement of the counterbalancing device, thus unlocking permit them to travel a corresponding distance.

7. In `a window, a easement having guides, upper outermost and lower innermost sashes,

mounted in certain of said guides, the latter sash havin a 4couplin ilange, a counterbalancing evice mova le in certain others 'pling'iiange, whereby the two sashes may eounterbalance or upper outermost sash may travel independently a distance substantially equal to its own height.

8. In a window, a easement having guides, upper outermost and lower innermost sashes, mounted in certain of said guides, the latter sash havin a coupling flange, a counterbalancing evice movable in certain others of said guides and provided with a coupling flange, a sash moving bar operative] con. nected to the upper outermost sas and adapted for engagement with either coupling iange, whereby the two sashes may counterbalance, or upper outermost sash may travel independently a distance substan-' tially equal to its own height, intermediate counterbalancing sashes operatively connected for counterbalancing movements, in-

aeeaeee Alocking the lower innermost sash, thereby locking all of the sashes through their interlocking connections. l

9. 1n a window, a easement having guides, upper outermost andlower innermost sashes, mounted in certain of said guides, .the latter sash having a coupling ilange, a counterbalancing device movable in certain others of said guides and provided with a coupling flange, a sash moving bar operatively connected to the upper outermost sash and adapted for engagement with the irstmentioned coupling lian e, whereby the two sashes may counterba ance, or upper outermost sash may travel independently a distance substantially e ual to its own height, the construction an arrangement of the counterbalancing device.v being such that it ma contact with the lintel of the easement to imit the upper outermost sash in the last mentioned travel.

10. In a window, a easement having guides, upper outermost and lower innermost sashes, mounted in certain of said guides, the latter sash having a coupling flange, a counterbalancing device movable in certain others of said guides and provided with. a coupling flange, a sash moving bar operatively connected -to the upper outermost sash and adapted for enga ement with either coupling flange, whereby the two sashes ma counterbalanoe, or the upper outermost sas may travel independently a distance substantially equal to its own height, the construction and arrangement of the counterbalancing device being suchv that it may contact with the lintel of the Casement to limit the upper outermost sash in the last mentioned travel, intermediate counterbalancing sashes Aoperatively connected for counterbalancing movements, interlocking connections between all of the meeting rails of the sashes, and means for locking the lower innermost sash, thereby locking all of the sashes through their interlocking connections. v

11. In a window, a easement having guides, upper outermost and lower innermost .sashes mounted in certain of the guides, countenbalancing means in `certain others of the guides, means connected to the upper outermost sash and adaptedi to operatively couple with the lower innermost sash, or with the counterbalancing means, whereby the two sashes may balance each other throughout the full height of the casement, or the upper outermost sash may oounl terbalance independently of the lower innermost sash, and means for locking the lower innermost sash.

In witness whereof, in the presence of two witnesses, the inventors signature is hereunto axed.

GEORGE W. LANCASTER.

Witnesses:

` G. J. MoKm, Et L. WARD'. 

